Clothes-pin



No.`609,|98. Patonted Aug. I6, 1898.

` F. S. GRAVES.

CLOTHES PIN. (Application led Jan. 25, 1897.) (No Model.)

WITVNESSES NVENTOR Zig# X yfM/ ,Y A Homey "NITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

FREDERICK VS. GRAVES, OFI'IANCOCK, MAINE.

i CLOTHES-PIN.`

SIPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 609,198, datedAugustl, 1898.

Application filed January 25, 1897. Serial No. 620,621. (No model.)

'as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

My invention relates to clothes-pins, the object of the same being toprovide a simple and cheaply-constructed device of this character, whichis formed with two engaging ends.

The invention consists of a double end clothes-pin made up of threeseparate and distinct bars of wood, metal, or other suitable material,the central bar having oppositelydisposed sockets or recesses andlaterally-extending grooves or indentations on the sides thereof,parallel with said sockets, and the outer bars having sockets. on theirinner faces and laterally-disposed recesses ou their outer faces, withthe inner surface of the engaging ends of said bars covered withcorrugated rubber, metal, or other suitable material. In connection withthe three bars referred tov I employ two coiled springs, the coils ofeach fitting within the respective sockets in the central and outerbarsand the outwardly-extending arms on the ends of said coils iittingaround the opposite sides of the central and outer bars, respectively,and t. ting within the grooves in said bars.

The invention also consistsin other details of construction andcombinations of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully describedand claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, yforming a, part of this specification,Figure l represents Y a perspective view of a clothes-pin constructedaccording to my invention.

Fig., 2 is a lon-v gitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is adetail perspective view of the central bar. Fig. 4 is a similar view ofone of the outer bars. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one ofthe springsemployed.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the dierent views.

My improved clothes-pin is made up of three separate bars 1, 2, andl 3,the central bar 1 having oppositely-disposed laterally-extend the bar 1.Each of the bars 2 and 3 is formed with a socket 6, which lies directlyopposite one of thegockets 4 in the bar 1 and also has alaterally-extending groove 7 in its outer surface at a point adjacent toits engaging end. Said engaging end is grooved on its inner surface andis covered with corrugated rubber, metal, or other Vsuitable material,as'

clearly shown at 8. Acting in engagement withthe parts just referred toare two springs 9 9, each formed with a coil l0, which Iits within thesockets 4 and 6 of the respective barsl and 2 and 1 and 3, and withlaterally-extending arms 11 12 at each end. The arm 11 is bent upwardlyand outwardly, as shown at 13, and ts within the groove 7 in the bar 2or 3, and the arm 12 is bent downwardly and outwardly, as shown at 14,and fits within one ofthe grooves 5 in the bar 1. When in place, asdescribed, the bars 1, 2, and 3 are held in close contact with eachother and cannot become accidentally separated.

In using the device the pin is attached to the clothes-line byseparating the bar 2 or 3 from the central bar land inserting saidlinebetween these two bars. The article of clothing which isl to lbesuspended from the line is by attaching the same directly to the line,is

OVGICOUIG.

Y By reason of the fact thatthe outer engag-A ing ends of the centralbar 1 are formed flat and the inner surfaces of the engaging ends of thebars 2 and 3 are formed with grooves IOO 8 8 provisionfis made for theattachment of Y the pin-to the clothes-line and of the clothes' to thepin, which will effectually prevent slipping. If both of the engagingends of the central bar l were grooved to correspond with the engagingends ofthe bars 2 and 3, curved surfaces would be formed ofsubstantially the same shapeas the clothes-line and the grip of the pinupon the line Would bematerially decreased. By making one engaging endflat, however, and the other curved a bite upon the line or upon theclothes is obtained, which prevents accidental slipping.

While my invention has been described as a clothespin, it is obviousthat I may use it as a bill-file, if so desired.

Having now described the invention, what I claimas new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In a clothes-pin of the character described,

the combination with the two outer bars, formed with semicirculargrooves in the inner faces at opposite ends, and formed in the outer vfaces or sides with transverse grooves, and in their inner sides formedwith central transverse sockets, of the intermediate beveled stripformed with central sockets in opposite sides, and the transversegrooves. near the ends, and the springs each formed with a coil and withlateral arms at each end, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

FREDERICK S. GRAVES. Witnesses:

S. J. LANE, VINAL MCCALEB.

